Maldives President Solih arrives in India

Solih was received by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri at the airport.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "Fortifying close bonds of cooperation and friendship. President of Maldives @ibusolih received by MoS @MoHUA_India @HardeepSPuri on arrival in Delhi - his first foreign visit after assuming office

within a month of visit of PM @narendramodi to Maldives. NeighbourhoodFirst"

This is the Maldivian leader's maiden visit to India after assuming the office of Prime Minister on November 17.

Solih will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on December 17. He will then participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat.

Later that day, the Maldives President is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, before holding delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House. Exchange of agreements and press statements will be held after his meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

Solih is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the same day.

On December 18, Solih will undertake a visit to Agra and then emplane for the Maldives.

In November, during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Male for Solih's swearing-in, the newly-elected Maldives President had briefed the Prime Minister about Maldives' fragile economic situation. The two leaders had discussed ways in which India can help the new government in meeting its pledges to the people of the Maldives.

Furthermore, both leaders had agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean and being mindful of each other's concerns and aspirations for the stability of the region. They had also expressed unwavering commitment and support for increased cooperation in combating terrorism, both within the region and elsewhere. (ANI)